The Grade 2 Red Mills Chase (Saturday 16 February) is run at Gowran Park Racecourse over 2 miles and 4 furlongs. The race was first run in 1990 and its most notable winners include Rathgar Beau, Watson Lake, Rubi Light, Champagne Fever, Ballycasey, and the 2018 winner Our Duke.
Red Mills Chase 10-Year-Trends
- Winners have been aged between six and 10
- ll winners have been rated between 143 and 166
- Weights carried by the winners have ranged from 11-3 to 11-10
- Six of the last 10 favourites have won
- SP’s of the winners have ranged from 2/5 to 25/1
- Willie Mullins has trained three of the last nine winners
Red Mills Chase 2019 Main Contenders
Presenting Percy
He’s currently favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and he deserves to be favourite for this on ratings. However, he’s definitely better over longer trips and was beaten in last year’s renewal of this race by the high-class Our Duke, despite the fact he was receiving 7lb from the former Irish Grand National winner. There’s every chance he’ll win but, as this is just his prep race for Cheltenham, he could be vulnerable.
Monalee
He was beaten seven lengths by Presenting Percy in the 2018 RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, where he was outstayed in the closing stages by the winner but still finished seven lengths in front of this year’s Welsh National winner Elegant Escape. What makes him interesting today is the fact he’s won both his chase starts over this trip and he could be ideally suited by forcing the pace over it. Connections have also suggested his Cheltenham Festival target will be the Ryanair Chase which is run over a furlong further.
Bachasson
Has a few pounds to find with the two horses in front of him in the market, but his only poor performance over fences was when falling in last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. Either side of that he has won three chases between 2 miles 4 furlongs and 2 miles 6 furlongs. He warmed up for this with a stylish win over a similar trip over hurdles and could give the favourites something to think about, especially as he’s trained by Willie Mullins.
Anibale Fly
Has plenty of class and his third in last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup is arguably the best piece of form in the field. The problem is, as he stayed on late in both that race and the Grand National on his next run, he’s unlikely to show his best over this trip. So, he looks another runner using this as a prep for bigger things.
Red Mills Chase 2019 Summary & Betting Tip
A win for Presenting Percy will come as no surprise but both he and Anibale Fly are definitely suited by longer distances. By comparison, Monalee and Bachasson have both shown some of their best form over this trip and look to have their ideal conditions. Of the two, Monalee is just preferred.
Red Mills Chase 2019 Tip
Bachasson